Liquor tax hike from today

The tax on liquor is increased with effect from today (November 13) in accordance with the budget proposals tabled in Parliament by the Finance Minister, the Excise Department announced.  

 

Tax on locally-manufactured foreign liquor such as whiskey, brandy, gin and rum increased from Rs. 4,150 to Rs. 4,570 by Rs. 420 The tax hike is based on the amount of pure alcohol per liter of arrack, Mr. Kumarasinghe said adding that the intention of this move is to discourage the consumption of liquor with a higher percentage of pure alcohol.

 

Accordingly, the tax for a 750 ml bottle of special arrack has risen by Rs. 96.14 while it was increased by Rs. 103.73 for other types of arrack. In the meantime, the tax was increased by Rs. 3.10 for beer with less than 5% of alcohol per 625 ml and by Rs. 14.00 for beer with a higher percentage of alcohol.

 

The excise commissioner noted that the taxes are required to be paid on the quantity produced, although the liquor manufactured by these companies is not sold.